Ministry of Interior warns of fraudulent messages through social networking

ABU DHABI, 11th March, 2017 (WAM) -- The Ministry of Interior has warned of suspicious messages through social networking that promote narcotic drugs.

In a statement, the ministry said that it has recently noticed that some UAE residents have been receiving random calls on their personal phones and messages via WhatsApp. "These contacts from foreign countries include messages from Pakistan that carry pictures of narcotic drugs, and ask for money transfers in order to receive them," it added.

The ministry stated that it is confident about public awareness and dealing with anonymous sources and calls, which promote illicit trade and profit. "In fact, it is a fraud to seize funds from others. As such, those who get involved in this bogus trade will be legally accountable, in accordance with the Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Act and Cyber Crimes."

It urged the public not to respond to those messages or reply them, adding that relevant authorities should be informed immediately about such suspicious messages.

Colonel Saeed Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the Anti-Drug Federal Directorate General at the Ministry of Interior, said that the messages have been monitored while stressing that work is underway in co-ordination with counterpart agencies in friendly and sisterly countries to monitor all forms of false communications, and to access their source in any location.

He emphasised that police and security authorities in the UAE were capable of paralysing such attempts, through their special relations with counterpart agencies in the relevant countries, to track down perpetrators.

Al Suwaidi urged the public not to hesitate to report any suspicious numbers, or people trying to sell contraband goods or committing illegal activities. The public should communicate with the relevant agencies through the telephone number, 80044.